Air Force team wins at inaugural D3 summit

  • Published
  • By Samuel King Jr.
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
WASHINGTON --  An Air Force team originating from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., recently won an award at the inaugural Defense, Diplomacy and Development Innovation Summit Pitch Challenge, organized jointly by the Defense Department, State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development here.

Staff Sgt. Ismael Montecel, 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, and his team of friends claimed the Impact Award March 3 at the Summit for their pitch to use 3-D construction printing to build structures such as hardened shelters in austere conditions or buildings for refugee camps.

"It basically allows us to take the next step in construction because it's no longer people doing it manually," Capt. Andrew Stalford said. "It's an automated process. It's manufacturing with a mouse click, so it's able to produce any design that a programmer can give it."

The Team 3-D Printing was made up of Montecel (Eglin), Stalford (Offutt AFB), his brother Capt. Matthew Stalford (Cannon AFB) and Senior Airman Lianne Blackburn (Lackland AFB). 

The team, who all attended the University of Texas, said some 3-D construction printers existing today could be loaded on a C-130 Hercules and use local materials for the construction projects anywhere around the world reducing the need for manual labor, improving efficiency and reducing the risk to personnel.

"So many things today are created automatically whether it's furniture, clothing or cars," Montecel said. "This will automatically create buildings, which is really the next leap in construction technology."

Montecel, a vehicle maintainer, but also his squadron's Continuous Process Improvement and Innovation Office manager, took up the challenge as part of his new position in the unit.

He formed the team with friends he'd known since 2007 at UT and who had become Airmen just as he had.

The four-person team split up duties with Montecel and M Stalford focusing on development and implementation of the new tech including research and development, logistical support, and deployment.  The other two Airmen concentrated on the applications of the technology and research on the applications in humanitarian and refugee aid/support.

"Since we were significantly geographically separated, the majority of the collaboration took place while on skype with constant email proposals and drafts going back and forth," said Montecel.

The team finally came together again at the Pentagon to present their idea.  Only the top six teams pitched their ideas to senior leaders out of 500 submissions.  Their team was one of only two Air Force teams to win awards.

"This is the kind of innovative thinking we need and want from our Airmen," Disbrow said. "It's especially exciting to see these two teams come together from across the service to solve problems we see in our Air Force that also have the potential to impact the world. I'm proud of what they've done and look forward to more ideas like this in the future."

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs contributed to this article.